The department licenses agencies to provide behavioral health treatment services. To gain and maintain licensure, an applicant must meet the requirements of this chapter, applicable local and state rules, and state and federal statutes. In addition, the applicant must meet the applicable specific program requirements for all behavioral health services certified by the department.

(1) An applicant currently accredited by a national accreditation agency recognized by and having a current agreement with the department may be eligible for licensing through deeming. See WAC 246-341-0310.

(2) An agency must report to the department any changes that occur following the initial licensing or certification process. The department may request a copy of additional disclosure statements or background inquiries if there is reason to believe that offenses specified under RCW 43.43.830 have occurred since the original application was submitted.

(3) The department may grant an exemption or waiver from compliance with specific licensing or program certification requirements if the exemption does not violate an existing state, federal, or tribal law.

(a) To request an exemption to a rule in this chapter, the applicant must:

(i) Submit the request in writing to the department;

(ii) Assure the exemption request does not jeopardize the safety, health, or treatment of an individual; and

(iii) Assure the exemption request does not impede fair competition of another service agency.

(b) The department approves or denies an exemption request in writing and requires the agency to keep a copy of the decision.

(c) Appeal rights under WAC 246-341-0370 do not apply to exemption to rule decisions.

(4) In the event of an agency closure or the cancellation of a program-specific certification, the agency must provide each individual currently being served:

(a) Notice of the agency closure or program cancellation at least thirty days before the date of closure or program cancellation;

(b) Assistance with relocation; and

(c) Information on how to access records to which the individual is entitled.

(5) If an agency certified to provide any behavioral health service closes, the agency must ensure all individual clinical records are kept and managed for at least six years after the closure before destroying the records in a manner that preserves confidentiality. In addition:

(a) The closing agency must notify the department that the agency will do one of the following:

(i) Continue to retain and manage all individual clinical records; or

(ii) Arrange for the continued storage and management of all individual clinical records.

(b) The closing agency must notify the department in writing and include the name of the licensed agency or entity storing and managing the records, provide the method of contact, such as a telephone number, electronic address, or both, and provide the mailing and street address where the records will be stored.

(c) When a closing agency that has provided substance use disorder services arranges for the continued storage and management of clinical records by another entity, the closing agency must enter into a specific qualified services organization agreement with a department licensed agency or other entity. See 42 C.F.R. Part 2, Subpart B.

(d) When any agency or entity storing and maintaining individual clinical records receives an authorized request for a record, the record must be provided to the requester within a reasonable period of time.